I'm too old for this.

I start University in October. I blame this entirely on Alyson who encouraged me by going to University herself and basically being a thoroughly amazing and inspiring woman. She writes a blog which you should read if you get a chance (Alyson's Blog).


So, I digress. I am going to start University full time in October at the ripe old age of 29. I am studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Quite frankly, I am petrified. The vast majority of students will be a decade younger than me. What if I don't fit in/wear the right clothes/have anything in common with them?


I left school at 16 with 9 GCSE's, moved to London and got a job. At the time, this didn't scare me in the slightest. I had the bolshy, self-confident, know-it-all attitude that so many young people have. I knew what I wanted (to work for BBC Sport) and I worked incredibly hard until I got to do it. 


Since I was 18, I have been studying, starting with A-levels, then moving onto certificates and diplomas through the Open University. All of my studying has been done part time whilst working and, latterly, whilst working, looking after an eighteen month old and being pregnant. I discovered, once I left school, that I quite like learning. I fear I may have taken it a step too far though with this going to University malarkey. It was a case of 'if I don't do it now, I will never do it' as I couldn't begin to think about having to pay back £9,000 a year in tuition fees.



I have pretty much always done the unexpected. It was definitely expected that I would do A-levels and go to University (at the correct age). I also shocked by getting engaged at 18, married at 21 (and meeting my husband in my first job aged 17). It is a big thing though. I have worked for the past 13 years of my life and all of a sudden, I'm giving it up and becoming a student.


I do feel slightly sick when I think about it. The excitement will kick in at some point I'm sure. It will, won't it?